Amblyopia in ptosis
R. L. Anderson and S. A. Baumgartner
Amblyopia can result from strabismus, anisometropia, media opacities, and
congenital disorders such as nystagmus. Complicated forms of ptosis (ie,
associated with neurofibroma or hemangioma) are also known to cause
amblyopia. A previously unconfirmed cause of amblyopia is uncomplicated
ptosis. We carefully examined 123 consecutive surgical ptosis patients with
uncomplicated congenital or early acquired ptosis. Twenty-five cases of
amblyopia (20%) were seen. Four cases (3.2%) were thought to be caused by
the ptosis. In two of these cases (1.6%), the amblyopia was directly
attributed to the ptosis. In one of the remaining two cases, exotropia and
amblyopia developed on the ptotic side while the patient was being observed
for the ptosis. In another patient, a progressively increasing cylindrical
refractive error and amblyopia developed, which were attributed to the
ptosis. We recommend careful evaluation of cases of congenital ptosis for
the detection and treatment of amblyopia.
